Elderly woman left with serious head injuries following vicious attack in Oldham

Police have launched an investigation after an elderly woman had her car stolen in Chadderton.

Shortly after 8.55pm on Tuesday 11 December 2018, a 79-year-old woman who had been out shopping was returning to her car which was parked in the car park of Morrisons on Hollinwood Avenue.

The woman was approached by a man who grabbed her car keys before stealing her blue Vauxhall Astra. As the offender drove away the woman was dragged along with the car causing serious injuries to her head.

Emergency services attended and the woman was taken to hospital for treatment where she remains in a stable condition.

An investigation has been launched and enquiries are ongoing.

Detective Inspector Rachel Smith, of GMP’s Oldham borough, said: “This is a particularly shocking incident in which an elderly woman has been targeted, and she has been left incredibly shaken as a result. My thoughts are with her as she recovers from her injuries in hospital.

“We are investigating this as a priority and we have a team of detectives dedicated to this case working under Operation Gladiator- an operation set up specifically to tackle robberies in the Oldham area.

“We will do everything we can to find the person responsible for this, and there will be an increased police presence in the area today as officers continue with enquiries.

“If you were in or around the car park yesterday evening and saw anyone acting suspiciously, or if you witnessed what happened, then please do the right thing and get in touch with us.

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 4555 or 101, quoting incident number 2178 of 11/12/18 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.